THE DAY after SABC chief operating officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng lost his appeal against a high court ruling that his appointment be overturned, the public broadcaster appointed him in his current position on an acting basis.
He has been appointed COO for three months – from September 19 to December 18. The decision means that Motsoeneng will be acting in the same position for the second time. He began acting in the key position in 2011, and Communications Minister Faith Muthambi confirmed his permanent appointment by the board in 2014.
This was despite the adverse findings by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, including that he had misrepresented his qualifications and awarded himself a salary hike to R2.4 million a year from R1.5m, among other irregularities.
It has now emerged that following the Supreme Court of Appeal’s ruling that his appointment was irrational and that it be set aside, Motsoeneng has been appointed the acting COO. This is revealed in internal SABC correspondence that was leaked to The Star.
“Clause 13.7.1 of the Memorandum of Incorporation stipulates that the board may in writing appoint any senior employee of the corporation who it deems fit, and the minister shall approve the appointment of any such senior employee to act as COO or CFO (chief financial officer),” the letter reads.
“Since the next board meeting is scheduled for October 28, 2016, the board is requested to recommend that the honourable minister approves the appointment of Mr GH Motsoeneng as the acting COO for the period September 19 to December 18, 2016 on a round- robin basis. The appointment of the acting COO will be tabled at the next board meeting for ratification."
This is immediately followed by the line that seals Motsoeneng’s appointment. “Resolved that: The appointment of Mr GH Motsoeneng as the acting COO for the period September 19, 2016 to December 18, 2016 be and is hereby approved.”
The letter, dated September 19, bears the name of group company secretary Theresa Geldenhuis at the bottom, but is “unsigned” as it was “submitted electronically”.
SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said he was aware of the letter, but declined to comment. This came as Parliament yesterday refused to enter the fray in the SABC board stand-off over a proposal to take Motsoeneng back.
Opposition parties have said that the board was undermining the Supreme Court of Appeal’s ruling by trying to appoint Motsoeneng through the back door.
The board appeared to be divided after one member of the board, Krish Naidoo, publicly came out against attempts by his fellow board members to reinstate Motsoeneng as the acting COO.
Chairperson of the portfolio committee on communications Humphrey Maxegwana yesterday refused to be drawn on the SABC board stand-off. He said the committee would not intervene at this stage.